ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A woman was stuck and killed by a car while walking on Halls Ferry Road in north St Louis County late Tuesday night, police said.
Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Alexandria Coleman, 28, with one count each of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving with a suspended license.
The St. Louis County Police Department said the crash was reported at about 11:30 Tuesday night on the 9800 block of Halls Ferry Road. When they arrived, they found the woman lying in the street.
Police said the woman was crossing the road when Coleman, who was driving northbound, struck her and left the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment but died from her injuries.
According to a probable cause statement, Coleman went home after the crash, left with her dad to take a friend home, then came back to the scene and told an officer she was in a crash but didn't know what she had struck.
The officer later spoke to Coleman's father, who said Coleman had told him she hit a person, the probable cause statement said.
Coleman later told police that she thought she hit a black dog.
Coleman's bond was set at $50,000.
Two men and one other woman were hit and killed while crossing St. Louis County roads earlier this month.
St. Louis County District 6 Councilman Ernie Trakas said they have to act now.
"It's an issue and a problem that needs to be addressed," Trakas said.
Trakas said at the next county council meeting he plans to reintroduce the bill he said will help keep pedestrians safe.
"If there is a sidewalk along a roadway, you're required to be on it. If you have to access a roadway, whenever possible, it should be within a certain distance of the shoulder and no further and also in a certain direction given oncoming traffic," Trakas said.
If passed police would have the ability to ticket someone for not using the sidewalk or not following the other rules.
The bill was passed last year but vetoed by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.
"It was fairly well crafted and completely neutral. I think would have addressed the problem, at least in a significant way," Trakas said.
Trailnet Policy Catalyst Charles Bryson said infrastructure changes and traffic enforcement would make a big difference.
"They can quick build situations where they can make that safer, whether they're bump outs, different signage to let people know the pedestrians have the right of way when they cross into the crosswalk," Bryson said.
Another thing Bryson said is missing is education.
"We need to bring drivers (education) back so people have a better understanding of their responsibilities with this 2-ton vehicle and what it means to other people," Bryson said.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
Tuesday's pedestrian crash and the fourth in St. Louis County this month. The police department asked drivers to drive safely and be aware of pedestrians.
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